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ODNR Division of Wildlife - Fishing - Trout Stockings
ODNR Division of Wildlife - A to Z Species Guide - Fish - Freshwater Drum

 Freshwater Drum

Freshwater drum are primarily active at night, when large schools of them feed in shallow water. They communicate by making drumming, or croaking sounds with specialized muscles that vibrate against their air bladders. The Native Americans referred to them as buffalo fish because of how similar their grunts sound to that of the American bison.

Freshwater Drum
Aplodinotus grunniens

At-a-Glance

• Family: Sciaenidae (Drum Family)

• Other Names: Sheephead, grunter, silver bass, gray bass, silver perch

• Ohio Status: Sport fish

• Adult Size: Typically 12-30 inches, can reach 37 inches. Usually 2-10 pounds, can reach 36 pounds.

• Typical Foods: Snails and other mollusks, also crayfish, fish, and aquatic insects.
Description
Freshwater drum are silver-gray in color with a sub-terminal (ending below tip of snout) mouth. They have a round tail and are very deep bodied. There are no other species of drum found in Ohio.

Habitat and Habits
The freshwater drum is found in Lake Erie and the Ohio River. They can also be found in most of the larger tributary rivers to both of these bodies of water. They are tolerant of turbid (murky water) but do prefer clear water and clean sand and gravel substrates.

Reproduction and Care of the Young
Freshwater drum spawn from spring to late summer. They broadcast eggs in shallow water where they float on the surface and hatch in about one day. They provide no parental care.